Module mounting assembly and method for mounting module mounting assembly
The module mounting assembly with adjustable textile tool modules addresses the issue of costly complete replacements and alignment challenges, enhancing installation efficiency and flexibility by allowing individual tool replacement and alignment adjustments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025071865
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-02
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing textile tool modules require complete replacement when a single tool becomes defective, leading to increased costs and waste, and are difficult to align and adapt to different textile machines, limiting installation efficiency and flexibility.
A module mounting assembly with removably connected textile tool modules, featuring adjustable coupling means and stops for precise alignment, allowing individual replacement and adaptation to various textile machines.
Facilitates quick and cost-effective installation of multiple textile tools, reducing labor and material waste by enabling individual tool replacement and alignment adjustments.
Smart Images

Figure 2025169899000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a module mounting assembly including a fiber tool module and a method for mounting the module mounting assembly. [Background technology]
[0002] The use of textile tool modules in textile machines has been known for decades. The textile machine may be, for example, a knitting machine, a sewing machine, a warp knitting machine, or a needling machine for producing nonwoven fabrics or fleece materials. A textile tool module typically includes multiple textile tools, which are arranged next to each other and molded to form the textile tool module. The use of textile tool modules allows multiple textile tools to be installed in a single installation step, thereby reducing the setup time of the textile machine. The larger the textile tool module, the more textile tools can be installed simultaneously. This reduces machine downtime. However, a drawback of textile tool modules is that if a single textile tool becomes defective, the entire textile tool module must be replaced. On the one hand, this increases costs because the textile tools of the remaining textile tool modules must also be replaced. On the other hand, it is not sustainable to have to discard the remaining textile tools of the corresponding modules. For this reason, textile tool modules should not be too large. In recent years, 1 / 2" to 2" wide textile tool modules have become established in this market segment, due to a trade-off between cost and sustainability on the one hand and installation time on the other. However, there remains a need to be able to quickly install as many textile tools as possible on textile machines.
[0003] For this purpose, Patent Document 1 proposes removably connecting multiple textile tool modules (knitting tool holders) to one another. To this end, multiple textile tool modules are attached to a rod-shaped connecting piece to form a modular mounting assembly. The attachment joint is then removable. In this way, the textile tool modules can be attached together as a modular mounting assembly to a textile machine. After attachment, the rod-shaped connecting piece can be removed to replace individual textile tool modules in the event of a defect. However, in this embodiment, the textile tool modules must be aligned, which is very laborious, before attachment to the connecting piece. However, there is a risk that the textile tool modules will again become misaligned relative to one another during attachment. Therefore, manufacturing such modular mounting assemblies is expensive and prone to errors. At the same time, the number of textile tool modules per modular mounting assembly cannot be changed after attachment. This makes it impossible to adapt the modular mounting assembly to the working widths of different textile machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3587644A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a module mounting assembly and a mounting method for the module mounting assembly that can be variably adapted to different textile machines and that allows the module mounting assembly to be manufactured cheaply and with good quality. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] This problem is solved by a module mounting assembly according to claim 1 and a method for mounting a module mounting assembly according to claim 14. The module mounting assembly according to the present invention includes at least two textile tool modules, each of which has a module body. The module bodies of the at least two textile tool modules support a plurality of textile tools arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction. The textile tools are typically rigidly connected to the module body. Advantageously, the textile tools are molded into the module body. For this purpose, the module body can be manufactured from a moldable material, such as metal or plastic. The textile tools can be any tool used in a textile machine that comes into direct contact with a spun yarn, a twisted yarn, or a fiber during operation, such as a knitting needle, a knitting needle, a sinker, a punch needle, a felting needle, a sewing needle, a tufting needle, or a tufting knife. The textile tools of the at least two textile tool modules have their main extension along a height direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. In the case of at least punch needles, felting needles, sewing needles, tufting needles, knitting needles, and knitting needles, the main extension direction runs along the axis of these textile tools. Within the module mounting assembly, at least two textile tool modules are removably connected to each other. This connection allows the at least two textile tool modules to be handled together, which greatly facilitates installation and reduces setup time. The connection is at least strong enough that the textile tool modules form a unit for installation. Therefore, the normal installation force of the textile tool modules does not release the connection. However, the connection can be released by applying a specific force, so that the module mounting assembly can be removed after installation on the textile machine. In this way, the textile tool modules of the module mounting assembly can be individually replaced after installation on the textile machine, if necessary. Preferably, the connection can be released by hand.If at least two textile tool modules are held in a target position in the module mounting assembly so as to be relatively movable by an adjustment path in the height direction, the module mounting assembly can be manufactured particularly inexpensively and with good quality. The target position is the position that the textile tool modules have in the module mounting assembly when the textile tool modules are connected to each other. The adjustment path is the amount of distance that the textile tool modules can move relative to each other in the height direction, i.e., displace relative to each other. The textile tool modules can also be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, for example, if the textile tool modules are rotatable relative to each other. By twisting relative to each other, the textile tool modules are displaced relative to each other in both the height direction and the longitudinal direction. The textile tool modules are therefore positionable relative to each other in the longitudinal and height directions, or positionable relative to the textile machine. In this way, the textile tools, when mounted on the textile machine, are individually positionable at a target position on the textile machine or are adjustable at least in the height direction to the extent that they can be adapted to the textile machine. In this way, manufacturing inaccuracies in the module mounting assembly can be easily corrected, thereby enabling inexpensive production of the module mounting assembly with reduced requirements for the accuracy of the alignment of the textile tool modules. Advantageously, the adjustment path is limited in the height direction. This limitation can be achieved by a limited play in the height direction between the textile tool modules. The module mounting assembly described above allows multiple textile tool modules to be simultaneously positioned on a textile machine. Based on the detachability of the individual connections of two textile tool modules in the module mounting assembly, the number of textile tool modules in the module mounting assembly can be very easily changed by adding or removing individual textile tool modules to adapt the module mounting assembly to textile machines of different sizes and the individual requirements of installers and customers. At the same time, each textile tool module can be individually aligned in the height direction on the textile machine during installation.This reduces the effort required to readjust the textile tool module after installation. Advantageously, the module installation assembly is arranged on or attached to a bar of a textile machine that extends essentially in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is therefore the main extension direction of the bar, which serves as a support for the textile tool module. The bar typically has a constant cross section along its longitudinal direction and / or is preferably hollow. A textile machine having such a bar is, for example, a warp knitting machine or a tufting machine. Advantageously, the bar has a surface suitable for alignment with a stop of the textile tool module. This surface is also referred to as an end within the meaning of this patent application. The surface normal of this end preferably faces in the height direction. Advantageously, the textile tool module has a stop, by means of which the textile tool module can be correctly aligned in the height direction at the end of such a bar. The stop rests against the bar end during installation. Such stops are well known to those skilled in the art, for example from commercially available punch needle modules. The stops can be arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the textile tool modules and can comprise ridges that are spaced apart from the peripheral surfaces in the height direction, or that are higher than the peripheral surfaces in the height direction, or that protrude from the peripheral surfaces in the height direction. It is particularly advantageous if each textile tool module comprises at least two stops. The stops are preferably spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. The greater the distance between the stops in the longitudinal direction, the more accurately the textile tool module can be aligned with the end of the bar. The stops are preferably shaped to enable point or line contact with the end of the bar. Point contact can be achieved, for example, by a conical, pyramidal, or hemispherical ridge. Line contact can be achieved, for example, by a semi-cylindrical ridge. The semi-cylindrical ridge is arranged so that its curved circumferential half-cylinder protrudes in the height direction above the peripheral surface of the textile tool module. However, if the textile tool module of the module mounting assembly does not include stops, it can be correctly aligned in the height direction on the textile machine by manual adjustment.However, manual adjustment increases the installation effort and must be performed by experienced and specially trained personnel.
[0007] Advantageously, the module mounting assembly includes at least one connecting piece, via which the textile tool modules are connected to one another. The connecting piece can be removed by applying an appropriate force and thus can be removed after the module mounting assembly has been mounted on the textile machine. In this way, the connecting piece does not interfere with the operation of the textile machine. Preferably, the connecting piece can be removed by hand, which makes the module mounting assembly particularly easy to handle. Advantageously, the connecting piece only connects two adjacent textile tool modules to one another, so that further textile tool modules can be added to the module mounting assembly using further connecting pieces. This allows the number of connecting pieces and textile tool modules to be particularly flexibly adapted to various textile machines. The connecting piece serves to improve and simplify the mounting of multiple textile tool modules on a textile machine. Advantageously, after the mounting of the textile tool modules on the textile machine, the connecting piece does not have any function necessary for the operation of the textile machine. In other words, the connecting piece is not required for the operation of the textile machine.
[0008] A further advantage arises when the module mounting assembly comprises at least one male coupling means and at least one female coupling means, which fit together to removably connect the fiber tool modules to one another. The matching male and female coupling means are corresponding coupling means, i.e., mating counterparts. Such coupling means are, for example, a plus and a matching minus, or a plug and a matching socket. When correctly aligned with one another, the matching coupling means can fit together due to their shape, resulting in a connection. The coupling means can be part of the fiber tool module, in particular the module body. However, the coupling means can also be a component of the connecting piece or a further component of the module mounting assembly. The coupling means can be manufactured integrally with the fiber tool module, the module body, the connecting piece, or a further component of the module mounting assembly. However, the coupling means can also be attached in a material-bonded manner, for example, by adhesive.
[0009] It is further advantageous if at least one male coupling means is a protrusion that fits into at least one female coupling means, with the female coupling means at least partially enclosing the male coupling means. To allow for height adjustment of the fiber tool module, there may be clearance between the male and female coupling means in the height direction. The female coupling means may be formed by one or more recesses that fit into the protrusions. However, advantageously, the female coupling means is formed by a plurality of protrusions that are arranged relative to one another to enclose the male coupling means. Therefore, the protrusions are arranged so that the male coupling means can be positioned between them. Each fiber tool module has at least one male and / or female coupling means. For example, each fiber tool module can have one male and one female coupling means, which are arranged so that identical fiber tool modules can be connected to one another in a longitudinal row. In this case, the male and female coupling means of adjacent fiber tool modules interlock.
[0010] Advantageously, the male coupling means and the female coupling means form a tongue-and-groove coupling, where the male coupling means is a tongue and the female coupling means is a groove. The tongue is an elongated protrusion. The groove is a groove-like or elongated recess. In a tongue-and-groove coupling, the tongue engages with the groove to form the coupling. The groove and the tongue are movable relative to each other in the height direction of the module mounting assembly. Advantageously, this movability is ensured by the groove and the tongue having a constant cross section or shape along the height direction. Tongue-and-groove couplings are very inexpensive and of very high quality to manufacture. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for module mounting assemblies. It is particularly advantageous if the groove and the tongue are also movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, thereby maintaining two fiber tool modules movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. This allows for better alignment of fiber tool modules movably held in the module mounting assembly both in the height direction and the longitudinal direction when mounting the module mounting assembly to a bar. If the fiber tool modules of the module mounting assembly each have a groove and a tongue, a further advantage arises. The tongue of one fiber tool module can always fit into the groove of the adjacent fiber tool module, thereby enabling the fiber tool modules to be connected to fiber tool modules in other rows. Furthermore, because the groove and the tongue are aligned with each other, it is possible to prevent the fiber tool modules from being mounted upside down (rotated 180° around the height direction).
[0011] Advantageously, there is a clearance or sliding fit between the male and female coupling means in the height direction. The use of a clearance or sliding fit makes it particularly easy to allow the connected textile tool modules to be moved in the height direction. Preferably, there is a clearance fit between the male and female coupling means in the height direction, which ensures a minimum clearance of 0.1 mm at all times, taking into account manufacturing tolerances. That is, when the dimensional tolerance limits are observed, there will always be a clearance of at least 0.1 mm in the height direction. However, a minimum clearance of at least 0.2 mm in the height direction is particularly preferred. The minimum clearance in the height direction corresponds to the maximum adjustment path over which the textile tools can be moved relative to each other in the height direction. Advantageously, the male and female coupling means interlock without clearance in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, there is no gap between the interlocking male and female coupling means in the longitudinal direction. It is particularly advantageous if the male and female coupling means are press-fitted in the longitudinal direction. This press-fit provides a holding force, by which the male and female coupling means are held together. The press-fit can be advantageously released using manual or brute force without any assistance. In this way, the fiber tool modules are removably connected to one another and are simultaneously vertically movable or adjustable. Alternatively, a longitudinal play can be provided between the male and female coupling means, thereby keeping the fiber tool modules relatively movable in both the vertical and longitudinal directions. To removably couple the male and female coupling means to one another, a holding force can be provided between the male and female coupling means, for example, by using a magnet.
[0012] Further advantages arise if the male coupling means are rotatably fitted into the female coupling means about a rotation axis extending in a depth direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and height directions. Preferably, the rotatability or the rotation angle is limited by a stop. The relative rotatability of the coupling means to one another further improves the correct alignment of the fiber tool modules in the height direction. Furthermore, in this way, angular errors between the associated fiber tool modules can be easily corrected during the mounting of the module mounting assembly.
[0013] Advantageously, the female coupling means is a recess, the recess being shaped so that the protrusion of the first coupling means can fit into the recess. The recess in the module body is very easy to manufacture, so that a fiber tool module having such a recess can be manufactured very advantageously.
[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the female coupling means is formed by at least two protrusions arranged to enclose the male coupling means. The two protrusions can have, for example, a crescent-shaped or sickle-shaped cross section and be arranged with their concave sides facing each other, thereby forming a cavity between the concave sides, in which the male coupling means is accommodated and surrounded by the two protrusions of the female coupling means. Fiber tooling modules are mass-produced, highly optimized standard components. Fiber tooling modules usually contain very little material that can be omitted. Therefore, it is not always possible to provide recesses in the fiber tooling module or module body. In this case, it may be simpler and cheaper to manufacture the female coupling means from a combination of multiple protrusions with the simplest possible shape. In a preferred embodiment, the female coupling means is formed by at least three protrusions. The three protrusions can have, for example, circular cross sections and be arranged so that the centers of the circular cross sections are triangular with each other. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because protrusions with circular cross sections can be easily manufactured and furthermore, rotation between the male coupling means and the female coupling means can be guaranteed.
[0015] Advantageously, the at least two fiber tool modules comprise at least one male coupling means and at least one female coupling means. The at least two fiber tool modules can then preferably be directly connected to one another via the male and female coupling means. Preferably, the male and female coupling means are components of the module body of the fiber tool module. The module mounting assembly can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively, since to obtain a fiber tool module for the module mounting assembly according to the invention, it is only necessary to apply the contours of the coupling means to a mold already required for the production of the fiber tool module.
[0016] The module mounting assembly includes a connecting piece for connecting at least two textile tool modules to one another, and it is particularly advantageous if the connecting piece includes at least one male coupling means and / or at least one female coupling means. The use of a specific connecting piece reduces the need for modifications to the textile tool modules for the module mounting assembly. Since the textile tool modules have little free structural space, module mounting assemblies using connecting pieces can be realized more easily and at lower cost. It is particularly advantageous if the textile tool modules only include male coupling means and the connecting piece only includes female coupling means. This eliminates the need to remove material from the textile tool modules, for example, to provide recesses for the female coupling means. The connecting piece can be removed after the textile tool modules have been mounted on the textile machine, thereby eliminating the need for space and interfering with the operation of the textile machine.
[0017] A further advantage arises if the module bodies of two adjacent fiber tool modules each include at least one male coupling means, and these male coupling means of the adjacent fiber tool modules fit together into a single female coupling means of the connecting piece. This allows the module mounting assembly to be manufactured particularly inexpensively, since a connecting piece with only one corresponding female coupling means is required to connect two coupling means of different fiber tool modules. This embodiment can also be manufactured particularly quickly and inexpensively, since the male coupling means of adjacent fiber tool modules fit together into the corresponding female coupling means of the connecting piece, thereby connecting the two fiber tool modules to each other at only one connection point. Advantageously, the male coupling means of the fiber tool modules are protrusions with an essentially rectangular cross section. The two protrusions of the fiber tool modules have a longitudinal extension equal to or greater than the recess of the connecting piece. This results in a sliding or press fit between the coupling means in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, in the height direction, the extension of the recess is preferably greater than the extension of the protrusion in the height direction, so that the fiber tool module can be moved or correctly aligned in the height direction within the recess together with the protrusion.
[0018] Further advantages arise when at least two fiber tool modules or their module bodies each include a screw-supporting surface and the connecting piece has at least one recess corresponding to the screw-supporting surface. The recess corresponding to the screw-supporting surface is arranged and shaped so that a screw can be screwed into the screw-supporting surface with its screw head without colliding with the connecting piece. For this, it is not necessary to remove the connecting piece from the fiber tool module or its module body. Therefore, screwing can be performed when there is a connection between the connecting piece and the fiber tool module. This facilitates the installation of the fiber tool module to the textile machine. As soon as the first fiber tool module of the module installation assembly is installed on the textile machine, the multiple fiber tool modules are held in a pre-positioned state by the connecting piece during installation. The installer can correspondingly use both hands free to screw in additional fiber tool modules. This reduces the installation time or preparation time. The connecting piece can advantageously have two or more recesses corresponding to the screw-supporting surfaces, for example, two or three corresponding recesses. The corresponding recess can advantageously have a concave contour, which preferably matches the contour of the screw-bearing surface, and which can be curved or arc-shaped.
[0019] The method according to the invention for mounting the above-mentioned module mounting assembly to a bar comprises the following method steps: placing the module mounting assembly on the bar; vertically aligning a first fiber tool module of a module mounting assembly; securing a first fiber tool module of a module mounting assembly to the bar; vertically aligning a second fiber tooling module of the module mounting assembly after securing the first fiber tooling module to the bar; After aligning the second fiber tooling module, fastening the second fiber tooling module to the bar. In a first method step, the module mounting assembly is preferably positioned on a surface of the bar facing the depth direction (with the surface normal facing the depth direction), i.e., the bar contact surface. The surface of the fiber tool module that contacts the bar of the textile machine to hold the fiber tool module on the bar is the module contact surface. The module contact surface preferably faces the depth direction. The vertical alignment of the fiber tool module is preferably achieved by at least one stop of the fiber tool module, which is positioned at the end of the bar in the height direction. However, the vertical alignment can also be performed manually without the use of auxiliary means. However, ensuring accurate alignment requires highly experienced technicians and increases the installation time. To secure the fiber tool module to the bar, the fiber tool module can be screwed to the bar, for example, with screws. However, it can also be clamped or fastened to the bar with other clamping means. Alternatively or additionally, the fiber tool module can be removably attached to the bar. For this purpose, for example, an adhesive that loses its adhesive strength at temperatures above the operating temperature of the fiber tool module can be used. Such an adhesive can be, for example, a thermoplastic adhesive. In the above method, the first and second fiber tool modules are arranged together in a module mounting assembly on a bar of a textile machine. This reduces the mounting effort or time. However, the first and second fiber tool modules can then be aligned independently of each other in the height direction. This allows all fiber tool modules to be aligned precisely and individually, allowing for individual adjustment of manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the alignment and subsequent fixing of the fiber tool modules in the height direction is performed sequentially (one fiber tool module at a time) and not simultaneously, as in the case of, for example, a module mounting assembly with multiple removably attached fiber tool modules.
[0020] It is further advantageous if the module mounting assembly includes a connecting piece that can be removed after the first and second textile tool modules are fixed to the bar. Because the connecting piece is removably connected to the textile tool modules, there is a risk that it may be unintentionally disconnected during operation of the textile machine. To prevent this, the connecting piece can be removed from the module mounting assembly or the textile machine after the textile tool modules are fixed. Therefore, the connecting piece is preferably formed so as not to perform any functions necessary for the operation of the textile machine.
[0021] Further advantages arise if an additional fiber tool module is mounted on the bar after the fiber tool module of the module mounting assembly has been mounted. The additional fiber tool module is then removably coupled to one of the fiber tool modules of the module mounting assembly at least temporarily during its mounting so that the additional fiber tool module is held movable in its target position by an adjustment path in the height direction. The additional fiber tool module is pre-positioned on the bar by coupling with the previously mounted fiber tool module and can then be finely adjusted in the height direction. Pre-positioning the additional fiber tool module significantly simplifies the mounting and reduces the effort required for aligning the fiber tool module. The coupling between the additional fiber tool module and the previously mounted fiber tool module can be performed in the same manner as described above for the fiber tool module of the module mounting assembly. The coupling can be performed, for example, using a coupling piece. Particularly good pre-positioning of the additional fiber tool module can be achieved using mating male and female coupling means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the module mounting assembly (1) attached to the bar (7). [Figure 2] Two textile tool modules (2) of a first embodiment of a module mounting assembly (1) are shown. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 shows a fitting connecting piece (5) for the textile tool module (2) of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows two textile tool modules (2) of a second embodiment of a module mounting assembly (1) with tongue and groove joints. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber tool module (2) of FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows two textile tool modules (2) of a third embodiment of a module mounting assembly (1). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows a fitting connecting piece (5) for the textile tool module (2) of the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows two textile tool modules (2) of a fourth embodiment of the module mounting assembly (1). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 shows a fitting connecting piece (5) for the textile tool module (2) of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a bar 7 of a textile machine and a module mounting assembly 1 mounted on the bar 7. The module mounting assembly 1 includes five textile tool modules 2, each having a module body 3. For clarity, only one textile tool module 2 and its associated features are labeled in FIG. 1; all of the textile tool modules 2 in FIG. 1 have identical structure. Each module body 3 of the textile tool module 2 supports a textile tool 4, which is arranged next to or next to one another in the longitudinal direction L. In FIG. 1, the textile tools 4 are punch needles used in warp knitting machines. Those skilled in the art also refer to the textile tool modules 2 as punch needle modules. The textile tools 4 are closely spaced and closely spaced in the longitudinal direction L, so that the distance between the individual textile tools 4 is barely discernible in FIG. 1. In the area labeled 4, one textile tool 4 is adjacent to another textile tool 4 in the longitudinal direction L, with a very small distance between each other. The thin black lines visible in this area represent the edges of the individual fiber tools 4, and the white intermediate spaces between these thin black lines correspond to the distance between the individual fiber tools 4. The fiber tool modules 2 are removably connected to each adjacent fiber tool module 2 by connecting pieces 5. This connection allows the fiber tool modules 2 to be handled together during installation. In this embodiment, the fiber tool modules 2 contact the bar contact surfaces 13 of the bar 7 together with their module contact surfaces 14 facing in the depth direction T, are individually aligned in the height direction H with the edges 15 of the bar 7, and are fixed to the bar 7 by individual screwing of screws 11 to the bar contact surfaces 13. The edges 15 of the bar 7 have a surface normal facing in the height direction H. The alignment at the edges 15 can be achieved by stops on the fiber tool modules 2, as is known to those skilled in the art, for example from commercially available punch needle modules. In the mounted state, the connection between the connecting piece 5 of the module mounting assembly 1 and the fiber tool module 2 is not visible, so the features of the connecting piece 5 and the fiber tool module 2 that are relevant to the connection are shown by individual partial representations in Figures 2 and 3 below.
[0024] Figure 2 shows two fiber tool modules 2 of a first embodiment of the module mounting assembly 1 already shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a connecting piece 5 belonging to this first embodiment. While Figure 1 shows the mounted state of the module mounting assembly 1, in which the fiber tool modules 2 are connected to one another by a number of connecting pieces 5, Figures 2 and 3 show the fiber tool modules 2 and the associated connecting pieces 5 as individual parts in an unconnected state. In Figure 3, the connecting piece 5 is shown rotated by 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction L compared to the mounted state in Figure 1 in order to show the male coupling means 106 of the connecting piece 5, which, according to this embodiment, are protrusions used to connect the fiber tool modules 2. That is, in order to connect the fiber tool modules 2 of Figure 2, the connecting piece 5 of Figure 3 is first rotated by 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction L and then aligned by the male coupling means 106 in the two female coupling means 206 of the fiber tool modules 2 referenced in Figure 2. The male coupling means 106 and the female coupling means 206 then fit together and interlock to removably connect the fiber tool modules 2 to one another. In this way, the fiber tool modules 2 and the connecting pieces 5 form the module mounting assembly 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The female coupling means 206 of the fiber tool modules 2 are recesses provided in the module body 3, each recess enclosing one of the male coupling means 106. In the mounted state, the male coupling means 106 are rotatable about rotation axes 12 extending in the depth direction T, so that by rotation about the rotation axes 12, the fiber tool modules 2 are displaceable or adjustable relative to one another in the height direction H. This allows for fine individual adjustment of the individual fiber tool modules 2 in the height direction H when mounting the module mounting assembly 1 on the bar 7 of the textile machine. Additionally or alternatively, the fiber tool modules 2 can also be held relatively movably in the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L by corresponding dimensional tolerances of the dimensions of the male and female coupling means 106, 206. For this purpose, an oversized fit in the longitudinal direction L can be selected to provide a clamping force acting in that direction.Alternatively, for example, a loose or sliding fit can be selected in the height direction H. To further simplify the mounting of the module mounting assembly 1 to the bar 7 (as shown in FIG. 1 ), each fiber tool module 2 has a screw hole 10 that completely penetrates the module body 3 of each fiber tool module 2 in the depth direction T and is open on one side in the height direction H. The openness of the screw holes 10 in the height direction H allows the screws 11 to be simply loosened from the bar 7 to mount or remove the fiber tool module 2, without having to be completely unscrewed. However, the technical teachings of the present invention can also be implemented with fiber tool modules 2 in which the screw holes 10 are conventional through-holes without open on one side, as shown in FIG. 2 . To ensure optimal fixation of the fiber tool module 2 with the screws 11, the module body 3 has a screw support surface 8 that extends around the screw hole 10 and meets high requirements for surface flatness. The connecting piece 5 has a recess 9 corresponding to the screw support surface 8, which recess 9 is adapted to the contour of the screw support surface 8 and to the head of the screw 11 so that when the connecting piece 5 is engaged with the fiber tool module 2, the fiber tool module 2 can be screwed with the screw 11. In other words, when the connecting piece 5 is engaged with the fiber tool module 2, the used screw 11 can be installed in the screw hole 10 and can rotate. Therefore, the connecting piece 5 does not interfere with the screw 11.
[0025] A second embodiment of the module mounting assembly 1 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the module mounting assembly 1 with two fiber tool modules 2. The basic structure of the fiber tool module 2, including the fiber tool 4, module body 3, screw holes 10, and screw support surfaces 8, is similar to that of the fiber tool module 2 of Figure 2. However, this embodiment differs in that the shape and arrangement of the male coupling means 106 and the female coupling means 206 are embodied as a tongue-and-groove coupling 6. How the male coupling means 106 and the female coupling means 206 interlock as the tongue-and-groove coupling 6 is shown in the cross section AA depicted in Figure 5. Each fiber tool module 2 has a male coupling means 106 and a female coupling means 206, which are arranged on the module body side surface 18 that defines the module body 3 in the longitudinal direction L. The male coupling means 106 of a first fiber tool module 2 engages with the female coupling means 206 of the adjacent fiber tool module 2 in the longitudinal direction to form a coupling between the two fiber tool modules 2. The female coupling means 206 thus encloses the male coupling means 106. In this way, in contrast to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connecting pieces 5 between the fiber tool modules 2 can be omitted. The male coupling means 106 of the tongue-and-groove coupling 6 are elongated protrusions, also known as tongues in the art. The female coupling means 206 of the tongue-and-groove coupling are groove-like or elongated recesses suitable for enclosing the elongated protrusions. The male and female coupling means 106, 206 have a constant cross section along the height direction H. In this way, the tongue-and-groove coupling 6 allows the fiber tool modules 2 to be moved relative to each other in the height direction in order to adjust their target positions in the module mounting assembly 1. Furthermore, the male coupling means 106 and the female coupling means 206 of the tongue and groove coupling 6 are also displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction L, whereby the fiber tool modules 2 are also adjustable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction L. This allows the fiber tool modules 2 to be better adjusted when mounting the module mounting assembly 1 to the bar 7 (not shown in Figures 4 and 5).In this embodiment, the possible adjustment paths are then not limited to the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L. This further simplifies the adjustment of the textile tool module 2 on the bar 7.
[0026] Figures 6 and 8 show two fiber tool modules 2 of third and fourth alternative embodiments of the module mounting assembly 1, respectively. Figures 7 and 9 show the connecting pieces 5 that fit therefor, respectively. The third and fourth embodiments differ from the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 and already described above only in the male and female coupling means 106, 206 or in their arrangement. Since the male and female coupling means 106, 206 are not visible in the mounted state of the module mounting assembly 1, the view of the module mounting assembly 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 does not differ from Figure 1 for the third and fourth embodiments. The representation in Figure 1 also applies to the third and fourth embodiments, as appropriate.
[0027] The differences between the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the first embodiment will be described below. In the third embodiment, the male coupling means 106 are not included in the connecting piece 5 as in the first embodiment, but in the module body 3 of the fiber tool module 2. Correspondingly, the female coupling means 206 are included in the connecting piece 5. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the assignment of the male and female coupling means 106, 206 to the fiber tool module 2 and the connecting piece 5 is reversed compared to the first embodiment. This makes it clear that the present technical teachings can be implemented independently of this assignment. Furthermore, the female coupling means 206 in the third embodiment is also different from that in the first embodiment. The female coupling means 206 is not a simple recess, but is formed by three cylindrical protrusions each provided on the surface of the connecting piece 5. In this case, the three cylindrical protrusions are arranged relative to one another so that their central axes form the corner points of an imaginary triangle 19. These imaginary triangles 19 of the female coupling means 206 are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 7. In each of these triangles 19, the cylindrical protrusions surround an intermediate space 20 in which one of the male coupling means 106 fits. In the mounted state of the module mounting assembly 1 shown in Figure 1, one of the male coupling means 106 therefore fits into one of the intermediate spaces 20 respectively. This allows the cylindrical protrusions of the female coupling means 206 to enclose the male coupling means 106 in the mounted state of the module mounting assembly 1. In this third embodiment, the adjustment path between the fiber tool modules 2 is limited by the size of the intermediate spaces 20.
[0028] The following describes the differences between the fourth embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 and the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3. The assignment of the male coupling means 106 and the female coupling means 206 to the fiber tool module 2 (see Figure 8) and the connecting piece 5 (see Figure 9) is reversed from the first embodiment. That is, the male coupling means 106 belongs to the fiber tool module 2, and the female coupling means 206 belongs to the connecting piece 5. The male coupling means 106 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped protrusion. The connecting piece 5 includes a single female coupling means 206, which is a large rectangular parallelepiped-shaped recess that can enclose two male coupling means 106. 1 , in the mounted state of the module mounting assembly 1, two male coupling means 106 belonging to each of two adjacent fiber tool modules 2 fit together into one female coupling means 206 of the connecting piece 5 in order to connect the adjacent fiber tool modules 2 to each other. In this embodiment, in order to ensure the alignment of the fiber tool modules 2 in the height direction H, the extension length (protrusion length) 17 of the male coupling means 106 in the height direction H is smaller than the extension length (recess length) 16 of the female coupling means 206 in the height direction H. In this case, a difference of less than 1 mm is sufficient to provide a sufficiently large adjustment path for adjusting the fiber tool modules 2. For individual fine adjustment of the fiber tool modules 2, the two male coupling means 106 in the recesses of the female coupling means 206 can be moved relatively in the height direction H. [Explanation of symbols]
[0029] 1 Module Mounting Assembly 2 Textile Tool Module 3 Module body 4. Textile Tools 5 Connecting piece 6 Tongue-and-groove joint 7. Barre 8 Screw support surface 9 Recessed section 10 screw holes 11 screws 12 Rotation axis 13 Bar contact surface 14 Module contact surface 15 Bar Ends (7) 16 Recess length 17 Length of protrusion 18 Side of module body 19 triangle 20 Intermediate Space 106 Male coupling means 206 Female coupling means H Height direction L Longitudinal direction T depth direction
Claims
1. A module mounting assembly (1) comprising at least two textile tooling modules (2), a) each of said at least two fiber tool modules (2) has a module body (3); b) the module bodies (3) of the at least two textile tool modules (2) support a plurality of textile tools (4) arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction (L); c) said textile tool (4) has its main direction of extension along a height direction (H) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L); d) the at least two fiber tool modules (2) of the module mounting assembly (1) are removably connected to each other, e) A module mounting assembly (1), characterized in that, in a target position within the module mounting assembly (1), the at least two textile tool modules (2) are held so as to be relatively movable within an adjustable distance in a height direction (H).
2. 2. A module mounting assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the module mounting assembly (1) comprises at least one connecting piece (5) for connecting the textile tool modules (2) to one another.
3. The module mounting assembly (1) comprises at least one male coupling means (106) and at least one female coupling means (206); 3. The module mounting assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one male coupling means (106) and the at least one female coupling means (206) mate and interlock with each other to removably connect the textile tool modules (2) together.
4. The male coupling means (106) is a protrusion that fits into the female coupling means (206), 4. The module mounting assembly (1) of claim 3, wherein said female coupling means (206) at least partially encloses said male coupling means (106).
5. the male coupling means (106) and the female coupling means (206) form a tongue-and-groove coupling; 5. A module mounting assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said male coupling means (106) are tongues and said female coupling means (206) are grooves.
6. The module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a clearance or sliding fit is formed between the male coupling means (106) and the female coupling means (206) in the height direction (H).
7. The module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the male coupling means (106) is fitted to the female coupling means (206) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (12) extending in a depth direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the height direction (H).
8. A module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said female coupling means (206) are recesses.
9. The module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the female coupling means (206) is formed by at least two protrusions arranged to surround the male coupling means (106).
10. The module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the at least two fiber tool modules (2) comprise the at least one male coupling means (106) and the at least one female coupling means (206).
11. A module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the connecting piece (5) comprises said at least one male coupling means (106) and / or said at least one female coupling means (206).
12. the module bodies (3) of the two adjacent fiber tool modules (2) each include at least one male coupling means (106); A module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the male coupling means (106) of the two adjacent fiber tool modules (2) are fitted together into a single female coupling means (206) of the connecting piece (5).
13. The at least two fiber tool modules (2) each include a screw support surface (8); A modular mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the connecting piece (5) has at least one recess (9) corresponding to the screw support surface (8).
14. A method for mounting a module mounting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to a bar (7), comprising: placing said module mounting assembly (1) on said bar (7); Aligning a first textile tool module (2) of the module mounting assembly (1) in a height direction (H); fixing said first textile tool module (2) to said bar (7); In a method comprising: After fixing the first fiber tool module (2) to the bar (7), aligning the second fiber tool module (2) of the module mounting assembly (1) in the height direction (H); and after said alignment, fixing said second textile tool module (2) to said bar (7).
15. 15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the first and second fiber tool modules (2) are fixed to the bar (7) before the connecting piece (5) is removed.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Functional tool mounting
EP3587644A1